I enjoyed Strayed's introspective writing style, and I was surprised at how honest and raw she was with her less-than-socially-desirable behaviors. She didn't (appear to) pull any punches to make herself look better. Grief had left her broken, and she self-destructed. Sometimes I felt like Strayed was overly self-centered, arguing that her sheer devastation over losing her mother gave her a free pass and excused some of the ways that she hurt other people. However, despite that, I always felt a lot of empathy for her. Strayed had the courage and foresight to step away from her life and do something that she thought would "fix" herself, and the tenacity (stupidity??) to stick with it to the end.

The best part was showing how life used to be without cellphones and face to face interactions were much more important and meaningful.

After the loss of her mother, and in the wake of a series of choices with heartbreaking consequences, Strayed embarks on an 1100 mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert to Washington State. Considered by some to be both reckless and self-indulgent, Strayed pens an honest, visceral account of a physical and emotional journey. Her life in peril at several points along the way, Strayed intricately weaves the stories of her life into the suspenseful account of a risky solo hike.

Cheryl's story really drew me in - I found the book hard to put down.

This is a true story of a young woman, devasted by the loss of her mother, who saves herself from self destruction by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail one summer. Although her horrible behavior is off putting at first, by the middle of the book you join her on the trail and at the end you feel a sense of accomplishment along with her. Wonderful story of redemption. Good read for nature lovers who also love self reflection.

Story about a woman who heals her emotional pain by replacing it with physical pain. Good writing, poignant and humorous at times. Recommended.

I really loved this book. I found that even though the author and I probably have nothing in common I could still learn something about life through Cheryl's story. It has everything - sex, adventure, the eternal journey that is life. It really is a great read. Be prepared to cry at moments and laugh at other moments; even a little scared.

I you want to be enticed and delightfully dragged paragraph by paragraph, page by page, though the unknown, both internal and external, then READ THIS BOOK. Not really a book about hiking, but about the adventure of walking 1,000 plus miles of the Pacific Crest Trail and how that experience cleanses the soul, reframes experiences, and brings life to a new perspective. Once I started I couldn't put it down, but now it's time to get back to the humdrum of laundry, etc.

Test Test

Great book! Makes me want to go hiking!